&#34;Autumn Rose&#34; peach tree

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree which is closely similar to the &#34;Autumn Gem&#34; peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,582), of which it is a mutation, but from which it is distinguished by producing fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately four weeks later than the fruit of the &#34;Autumn Gem&#34; peach tree.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peachtree which will hereinafter be denominated varietally as the "AutumnRose" peach tree and, more particularly, to a peach tree which producesfruit which are mature for commercial harvesting and shipmentapproximately November 1st to November 20th near Arvin in the SouthernSan Joaquin Valley of California, and which further is distinguished byproducing a large red fruit, the flesh of which is of a lightamber-yellow coloration, is firm and crisp, and which is otherwiseclosely similar to the late peach tree "Autumn Gem" (U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,582), of which the new variety is a mutation, with the exception thatit ripens approximately four weeks later than the "Autumn Gem" peachtree.

The ripening date of the fruit of commercial varieties of peach trees isfrequently the single most significant criterion in determining theirsuccess in the marketplace. With the multitude of varieties of peachtrees, both patented and unpatented, early and late ripening varietiesare frequently of particular value.

In some instances, varieties have been developed which are closelysimilar in all other characteristics to well accepted commercialvarieties, but ripen significantly earlier or later than thosevarieties. The market acceptance of such new varieties may besubstantially enhanced over other varieties ripening approximatelyduring the same time period, but not possessing any such relationship.The new variety of the present invention bears such a strong resemblanceto the "Autumn Gem" peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,582) and yetripens approximately four weeks later than the fruit of the "Autumn Gem"peach tree.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was discovered in 1986 by theapplicant in his orchard which is located near Arvin in Kern County inthe Southern San Joaquin Valley of California. The applicant discoveredthe newly found seedling as a mutation of the "Autumn Gem" peach tree(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,582). In 1988, the new variety was asexuallyreproduced at the applicant's direction and the resulting trees of thenew variety were planted in 1989 in another of the applicant's orchardsapproximately one-half mile from the location of the parent tree nearArvin in Kern County. The asexually reproduced trees were observed bythe applicant and first bore fruit in 1990. The applicant has closelyexamined the asexually reproduced trees of the new variety and confirmedthat they are identical to the parent tree.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The "Autumn Rose" peach tree is characterized as to novelty by producinga large red fruit which has good flavor and firmness, ripening forcommercial harvesting and shipment approximately November 1st toNovember 20th in the Southern San Joaquin Valley of California. The newand novel variety is very closely similar to the "Autumn Gem" peach tree(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,582), of which "Autumn Rose" peach tree is amutation, but from which it is distinguished and characterizedprincipally as to novelty by producing fruit which are ripe forharvesting and shipment approximately four weeks later than the fruit ofthe "Autumn Gem" peach tree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is a color photograph showing fruit of the new variety ofthe present invention including a first sectioned to show the pit inposition in the pit well; a second sectioned and with the pit removed toexpose the pit well; a third shown in side elevation to reveal thesuture; a fourth shown in bottom plan view to reveal the apex; and afifth shown in top plan view to expose the stem cavity; and foliagetypical of the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchard of origin which islocated near Arvin, Calif. of Kern County. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the Dictionary of Color, by Maerz andPaul, Second Edition, 1950. Common color names are also employedoccasionally.

TREE

Generally:

Size.--Normal for peach tree.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Figure.--Upright to upright-spreading with general form and density.

Productivity.--Productive.

Regularity of bearing.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Average.

Surface texture.--Quite rough with above average amounts of scarfskinpresent.

Color.--Burnt Umber brown (15-A-12).

Lenticel.--Openings -- Moderately calloused. Light brown colored calloustissue present, Terrapin (14-B-10). Numbers -- Medium amount. Size --Large. Form -- Flat.

Branches:

Size.--Normal.

Surface texture.--Normal.

Color.--One year or older wood -- Medium Malay brown (15-C-11). Asubstantial amount of russet and checking is present on the more maturewood. Current season's shoots -- Light grey-green (Piguant green20-K-6). When exposed to direct sunlight, shoots are tinged with red(Saraband red 6-K-8).

Surface texture--current season's shoots.--Relatively smooth andglabrous.

LEAVES

Size:

Generally.--Very large.

Average length.--22.6 cm (8.889 inches).

Average width--4.0 cm (1.574 inches).

Form: Linear lanceolate. Quite narrow in relation to their length.

Color:

Upwardly disposed surface.--Dark green (23-L-5).

Downwardly disposed surface.--Lighter green (22-K-7).

Leaf midvein.--The under side is a light yellow-green (19-K-4).

Marginal form:

Generally.--Crenate in form with large, broad and moderately deepcrenations. Most crenations are tipped with a brown trichome. Crenationsat mid-margin are often double in form.

Leaf:

Margin.--Moderately undulate.

Apex.--Acuminate in form, with the tip most often twisted sideways.

Petiole:

Size.--Moderately long.

Length.--11 mm (0.433 inches) to 16 mm (0.629 inches).

Thickness.--2.0 mm (0.078 inches).

Color.--Light green (piguant green 20-K-6).

Stem glands:

Form.--Large.

Number.--Variable, from 3 to 7.

Position.--Alternate.

Pattern.--Most frequently two or three large glands are present on thebase of the leaf margin in alternate position and two more additionalglands are present further up on the leaf margin. Occasionally a glandis present on the leaf petiole itself, but most are borne on the basalportion of the leaf blade.

Type.--Variable. Most glands are of the reniform type, but an occasionalglobose gland is not uncommon.

Basal gland:

Color.--Light yellow-green (18-L-5) when young. There is darkening anddeterioration with age.

Stipules: No stipules present at the time of description.

FLOWERS

Flower Buds:

Width.--6.35 mm (4/16 inches).

Length.--7.93 mm (5/16 inches).

Surface texture.--Normal for peach tree.

Flowers -- generally: Typical for peach tree.

Date of bloom.--February 26 through March 5.

Width.--14.27 mm (9/16 inches).

Length.--15.87 mm (10/16 inches).

Petals:

Color.--Red.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Ripe for commercial harvesting and shipmentapproximately November 1st to November 20th near Arvin in Kern County inthe Southern San Joaquin Valley of California.

Size:

Generally.--Uniform and large.

Average diameter in cheek.--79 mm (3.110 inches).

Average diameter in the axial plane.--75 mm (2.952 inches).

Average diameter transverse in the suture plane.--76 mm (2.992 inches).

Average diameter transverse and at right angles to the sutureplane.--About 76 mm (2.992 inches).

Form.--Uniformity -- Broadly ovate to nearly globose in lateral aspect.Nearly globose in axial aspect. Symmetry -- Symmetrical.

Suture.--Generally -- A distinct raised line from apex to base. Thesuture is substantially calloused and rough. Most often the suture isred in color and very distinct, although occasionally the coloration canbe somewhat less pronounced.

Ventral surface.--Generally -- Rounded, except for the raised suture.One side is often slightly lipped.

Stem cavity.--Generally -- Oval and moderately deep. Cavity shouldersoften show the indentation of the branch on which the fruit was borne.The ventral suture is slightly folded within the cavity basin. Width --30 mm (1.181 inches). Depth -- 13 mm (0.511 inches) to 16 mm (0.629inches). Length -- 36 mm (1.417 inches). Shape -- Normal.

Stem.--Generally -- Medium. Length -- 9 mm (0.354 inches) to 12 mm(0.472 inches). Thickness -- 3.5 mm (0.137 inches). Color --Greenish-brown (14-L-4).

Base.--Slightly truncate. Base angle usually very oblique to fruit axis,shorter on the ventral suture side.

Apex.--Shape -- Generally -- Rounded with a very low tip.

Pistil point.--Variable, from perfectly apical to very oblique. Adepression is usually present on both the ventral and dorsal side of theapex.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium and relatively tenacious to the flesh at commercialmaturity.

Flavor.--Mild in flavor without much acidity.

Pubescence.--Pubescent with a short and fine pubescence.

Texture.--Normal.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Blush color.--Can cover from 15 to 60 percent of fruit surface, withfruit exposed to direct sunlight in the highest range. Blush pattern isvariable, but most often is in a streaked and mottled pattern. Thedarkest areas of blush are an Egyptian red (6-L-11) and are usually partof the mottled pattern. Red blush color lightens to an Ember red(5-K-10).

Ground color.--Amber yellow (10-J-3). A red ventral suture line isusually present (Withered Rose 5-J-10).

Flesh:

Flesh color.--Light amber-yellow from the skin inward (10-K-3).

Surface of pit cavity.--Normal.

Color of pit well.--Medium Korea red (5-J-11). A substantial amount ofred coloration radiates outwards from the pit cavity some 15 mm (0.590inches) to 20 mm (0.787 inches) into the flesh.

Juice production.--Juicy.

Flavor.--Very good flavor. Well balanced and pleasant.

Aroma.--Moderate in amount and pleasant.

Texture.--Firm and crisp at commercial maturity.

Fibers.--Numbers -- Moderate number. Size -- Moderately long. Texture --Tender. Color -- Light colored.

Ripening.--Even.

Eating quality.--Very good.

Stone:

Attachment.--A full freestone. The stone fills the stone cavity verywell. Almost no air space is present in the cavity.

Fibers.--Numbers -- Few. The fibers are usually most evident basally.Length -- Short.

Size.--Generally -- Medium. Length -- Average 37 mm (1.456 inches).Width -- 25 mm (0.984 inches). Thickness -- 19 mm (0.748 inches).

Form.--Generally -- Most frequently oval.

Apex.--Shape -- Generally -- Rounded with an acute, dentate tip.

Color.--Dry -- Variable, from a tan brown (12-G-7) darkening to a mediumbrown (14-G-11).

Base.--Shape -- Variable. Usually rounded to slightly truncate. Angle --Very oblique to the stone axis.

Apex.--Generally rounded in form with an acute, dentate tip.

Sides.--Generally -- Most frequently slightly unequal.

Hilum.--Medium to slightly below average in size and oval in form. Thehilum is well defined and enclosed by a smooth raised collar.

Surface.--Moderately rough with the deepest grooves present over theapical shoulders laterally. The entire stone surface is finely pebbledor covered with small pock marks, giving the surface a roughenedappearance.

Ventral edge.--Moderately wide with two to four low wings coalescedbasally and converging apically. The ventral edge is moderately pittedover the entire surface.

Dorsal edge.--Moderately narrow with a distinct but narrow groove fromthe base to about mid-stone. Above mid-stone to the apex, the groove isreduced to a narrow line. The apical shoulder of the dorsal suture issubstantially eroded.

Ridges.--Along the dorsal edge are cut in several locations by crossgrooves.

Tendency to split.--None.

Use: Fresh market use. It has potential for use in local markets andalso for long distance shipping.

Keeping quality: Excellent.

Shipping and handling qualities: Excellent.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics noted above as a result of the growing conditionsprevailing near Arvin, Calif., Kern County, in the central part of theSan Joaquin Valley of central California, it is to be understood thatvariations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident tochanges in growing conditions, irrigation, fertilization, pruning andpest control are to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of peach tree, whatI claim as new and desire to be secured by Plant Letters Patent is:
 1. Anew and distinct variety of peach tree substantially as illustrated anddescribed and which is closely similar to the "Autumn Gem" peach tree(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,582), producing large freestone fruit of a yellowground color and a streaked and mottled red blush coloration, but fromwhich it is distinguished and characterized principally as to novelty byproducing such fruit which are mature for commercial harvesting andshipment approximately November 1st to November 20th in the Southern SanJoaquin Valley of central California.